The city : urban communities and their problems

This recent introductory text in urban sociology squarely faces the dichotomy of the field by its division into two parts: Part 1, Theoretical and Historical Perspectives, and Part 2, Urban Problems. Because of the diversity of topics usually covered in an introductory survey of urban sociology, most texts fail to consolidate these subjects in a coherent manner. Berger successfully focuses on the concept of community to set the theoretical stage for examining the ability of cities to provide shared communal functions. Cities are seen as large communities made up of smaller communities, and the functional interrelationships of these parts are examined by applying sociological concepts and theories. While he does not present original or newly synthesized material in the first part of the book, a clear groundwork in fundamental, essential issues in the discipline is laid for students in chapters entitled "Approaches to the City," "The Concept of Community," "History of Cities," "Growth of the Metropolis," "Ecology," "Lifestyles," and "Demography." The presentation of material in these chapters covers all of the "basics" of the field in a balanced approach which is not theoretically biased beyond its focus upon community. With this solid foundation, students are then presented with eight chapters on urban problems: "The Roots of Urban Problems," "Race," "Politics," "Housing/ Transportation/ Health," "The Physical Environment," "Crime," "Education," and an optimistic, upbeat conclusion of the future of cities. In considering urban maladies, he competently follows through with his earlier focus upon the concept of community, providing valuable continuity in the book. His experience working in the city of Chicago's Department of Human Services shows through in the down-to-earth, practical, and clear presentation of urban problems. My students were given new appreciation for the difficulty of providing physical resources to urban residents in his timely discussion of water supply, garbage, pollution, and energy. However, ghettos and slums were given insufficient attention compared to other texts and student interest. A fundamental shortcoming is the almost total lack of treatment of other cultures. With the rapid urbanization of much of the world, this topic seems to deserve more than passing attention.